Translator: Dreamscribe
DM Production’s conference room. Inside, where the key staff of ‘Beneficial Evil’ had gathered, the words ‘Bangkok, Thailand’ came out of the mouth of the Overall Director, PD Song Man-woo. Naturally, it was related to the overseas location.
“Rather than going about it vaguely, it’s better to nail it down decisively.”
At PD Song Man-woo’s words, the Production Manager among the dozens of key staff nodded his head.
“Yes, I understand. I will contact the Line PD right away.”
The dozens of key staff, including the PD Song Man-woo, put down the tablets they were looking at and opened moderately thick stacks of paper. It was a bundle of documents containing information about the overseas location of ‘Beneficial Evil’. In fact, the overseas location for ‘Beneficial Evil’ was not being mentioned for the first time now.
It had already been discussed around the time when setting up the large-scale domestic sets.
Thus, the bundle of papers included several options up to the 5th plan, including Bangkok, and suitable places for shooting. Naturally, scenes to be used in the overseas location were also included. As the production meeting, based on those, started to get lengthy, the muscular stunt director asked PD Song Man-woo.
“Should we keep or cut the car chase scene?”
PD Song Man-woo, who was stroking his chin, answered without difficulty.
“If the overseas location is confirmed, we have to keep it. This part is important, so make sure the Line PD thoroughly checks the local situation.”
“If we’re keeping this, does that include the explosion scenes too?”
“Of course, we need to go with that.”
“It’s been a while since we’ve had some big explosions.”
“We’ll also include the gunfight scenes we were planning to cut, so everyone, check the initial storyboard and prepare well.”
Props team, stunt team, filming team, equipment team, special effects team, and so on. The hands of dozens of key staff moved quickly, and this time, the art director asked PD Song Man-woo.
“If we’re doing this, we’re also reviving the protagonist’s setting and direction that we killed in the script. Will there be script revisions too?”
“There will be some modifications, but since it’s part of the initial preparations, it won’t take too long. Writer Choi has already started on the materials. It’s just a slight addition to the beginning, so please pay attention to it.”
After finishing his words, PD Song Man-woo turned his gaze to the stunt director.
“The combat techniques included in this overseas location are not easy, so let’s review the action storyboard we created before and complete it as soon as possible for a briefing. It has to go to Woojin-ssi as well.”
“Okay, but will Woojin-ssi handle all these scenes himself?”
“Well, it’s a part that needs adjustment too – we’ll have to talk to Woojin-ssi and consider using a stunt double too.”
The production meeting gradually became more intense. ‘Beneficial Evil’, in which a lot of funds would be invested, was a pre-produced work aiming at the global market together with Netflix, so this atmosphere was expected. Just looking at the mentioned overseas locations, it was clear the scale was considerable.
Just listening to the conversations going back and forth gave the feeling of a blockbuster movie.
PD Song Man-woo’s judgment was that it was right to go for the spectacular if it was to capture the eyes of overseas audiences. Of course, it was an impossible for an ordinary mini-series.
Anyway, amidst the heated production meeting, PD Song Man-woo changed the subject.
“I think we should wrap up the interview filming for all actors, which Netflix is overseeing, before we start the preliminary location scouting for overseas locations.”
“That does seem better.”
“Then, let’s coordinate the schedule based on when Woojin-ssi returns, and the order should be – after the full cast interview filming, preliminary overseas location scouting and site hunting, finalizing the sets and script storyboards including overall martial arts check. It would be good to fit in the script reading during that time too.”
“Whew~ That’s tight.”
Some of the key staff let out small sighs at the hellish schedule, and PD Song Man-woo brought up Kang Woojin again to the Production Manager.
“Kang Woojin-ssi’s schedule is crucial, so keep in contact beforehand and match the timing as much as possible.”
“Yes, PD-nim. I spoke with CEO Choi Sung-gun earlier. He said we can coordinate after Woojin-ssi finishes his few days of rest, except for his schedule to go to LA.”
“LA?”
“You know, that thing he’s doing with Miley Cara.”
“Ah, right.”
Soon, small exclamations of admiration poured out.
“Amazing~ amazing, who would have thought an actor from Korea would work on an album with Miley Cara.”
“At this rate, won’t Kang Woojin~ssi become a world star before our project even launches?”
“Hahaha, that would be great for us. We wouldn’t have to keep banging our heads against the wall.”
“But looking at Woojin-ssi’s schedule, it’s practically impossible for a normal person. It’s absurd how it’s somehow being managed.”
Simultaneously, PD Song Man-woo brought the topic back on track.
“Anyway, make sure to share the details immediately with Woojin-ssi and the other actors involved in the overseas shoot.”
The ‘actors’ he mentioned were mostly unknowns and rookies.
Meanwhile, at the same time. In Jinju.
Having finished a call with Choi Sung-gun a few dozen minutes ago, Kang Woojin was lying in his room, alone in the empty house. His sweatpants, with holes at the knees, and his t-shirt, with the print peeling off, were still on. Though it was a short 2-night, 3-day break, he seemed to be trying his best to rest. Woojin was lying on his side looking at his phone, with no scripts or scenarios around him.
Only.
“Ah~ Seriously, doing nothing is the best. It’s exhilarating.”
He was enjoying idling to the maximum as the original Kang Woojin. Of course, there was no acting tough or putting on a persona or concept. While all of Jinju was bustling due to his visit, Kang Woojin alone was taking it easy.
Currently, Kang Woojin was watching a YouTube video.
A video by a movie review YouTuber, who had nearly a million subscribers and the video had already surpassed 3 million views. As seen in the title, it was related to Kang Woojin. It was an edited compilation of Woojin’s performances in ‘Island of the Missing’, which had turned the current Korean film industry upside down.
Thousands of comments were, of course, exploding with praise for Kang Woojin.
“Hehe, this is nice.”
Well, there were some comments in between criticizing or bashing him, but Kang Woojin ignored them lightly. After watching the YouTube video centered on himself for a while, Woojin opened a search site. It was because he was reminded of ‘Leech’, which had recently finished filming.
“Let’s see how the situation is-”
Though Woojin already had a rough understanding of the actual progress through group chats and such, he was curious about the media and public opinion. The search term was ‘Leech’. As expected, results poured in quickly. The first things to appear were news articles.
『[MovieTalk] ‘Leech’ enters post-production, can it set of fireworks at this year’s Cannes Film Festival?』
Perhaps due to the mega-hit of ‘Island of the Missing’, the expectations for ‘Leech’, scheduled for the Cannes Film Festival, were quite high. However, ‘Leech’ team was not engaging in promotional activities.
After all, even if editing was completed, it wouldn’t be released in Korea right away.
Probably, whatever the result of ‘Leech’, it would be screened at the Cannes Film Festival first, and then, riding on that momentum, it would be released in Korean theaters. In terms of dates, it would probably be before the end of this year.
Whatever the case.
-Swoosh.
Lying on his side, Woojin lowered the phone he had been looking at. Then he scratched his belly.
“I’m a bit peckish.”
It wasn’t exactly hunger or an empty stomach. He just needed something to snack on. Like some chips. Then, coming out of the room, he rummaged through the kitchen here and there.
There was nothing.
There was some ramyeon and leftover spicy braised chicken from the morning, but nothing to snack on. Woojin checked the time. It was just before noon.
“……Hmm.”
Standing there absentmindedly, Woojin thought for a moment and then went back to his room to grab a hat and mask. The reason was simple. He was planning to go to the supermarket within the apartment complex.
“Clothes- well, I guess it’s better to go like this. It’ll draw less attention.”
Still, should I change the t-shirt? The sweatpants with the knees holes out were okay, but the t-shirt with the print peeling off was a bit much to wear outside. In the end, Woojin just quickly changed his t-shirt, put on the hat and mask, and left the house.
Kang Woojin got on the elevator.
A few people got on until the 1st floor, but they didn’t recognize Woojin. Well, a few glanced at him. Woojin walked out of the apartment in slippers. The supermarket was near the entrance of the apartment. Two young-looking women brushed past Woojin as he yawned.
“Did you see the banner at the entrance?”
“Yeah, it’s awesome! It looks like Kang Woojin is really in our apartment complex.”
“Can we see him?? Should we keep walking around the complex?”
“If I meet him, I think my heart will burst!”
Watching them, Woojin thought, why are they outside at this time? Aren’t they supposed to be in school? Then he realized it was Saturday. But a banner? Come to think of it, Choi Sung-gun mentioned something about a banner during the call earlier.
‘What banner are they talking about?’
Woojin decided to check out the banner the young women mentioned while heading to the supermarket, and the girls who had passed him started whispering and glancing back at him. A few minutes later, Woojin arrived at the apartment entrance where the supermarket was visible.
“……”
As soon as he saw the banner hanging above, he stopped dead in his tracks.
‘What the- What the hell is that??!’
He was overwhelmed with a mix of embarrassment and shame. It was because of the banners hanging at the apartment entrance.
-“Pride of Jinju! Welcoming the visit of monstrous actor Kang Woojin!!” / Jinju City Hall.
Banners with phrases like “Pride of Jinju” and “A dragon born in Jinju” were fluttering grandly. And there were multiple banners, not just one. Most had phrases welcoming Kang Woojin, and one of the banners even had a poster of Woojin’s face.
‘My face! Why did they have to put my face on it?!’
Doubling his embarrassment, Woojin turned around, forgetting about buying snacks. What’s with all this fuss? At that moment.
-Buzz.
Woojin’s phone, in his sweatpants pocket, vibrated briefly. It was a message from his mother. Reading it, Woojin’s embarrassment grew exponentially.
-Mom: Woojin, there are a ton of banners around the shop! The Jinju officials seem really happy you’re here. I saw a lot of banners when I went to the shop too.
-(Attached Photo)
Currently, banners with Woojin’s face were plastered all over Jinju.
‘Stop! Stop hanging them! I didn’t ask for this!’
As Woojin screamed internally, a female voice cut through.
“Excuse me-”
Looking ahead, the two young women from earlier were approaching him hesitantly. The girl with glasses asked Woojin.
“A-Are you perhaps Kang Woojin-nim?”
“……”
After a brief silence, Woojin spoke. Not in his usual solemn tone, but in a light tone close to frivolous.
“You’re not?”
“…I see. Ah, sorry.”
I see? What do you mean, I see? The two girls bowed slightly to Woojin and turned away. Woojin overheard snippets of their conversation.
“See, I told you he’s not? Why would a super popular actor be walking around in sweatpants with holes at the knees.”
“True, compared to the photo on the banner over there, he did look quite ugly.”
“I’m telling you, he’s just a resident who came out to buy cigarettes or something, one hundred percent.”
“Yeah, yeah. Let’s go check somewhere else, somewhere else.”
The girls gradually moved away. Woojin, who had been standing there somewhat dazed, let out a long sigh and muttered softly.
“Coming out was a mistake.”
He returned home quickly. When he got back, he heard signs of life in the empty house. His younger sister, Kang Hyun-ah, who hadn’t been seen since the morning, appeared from the kitchen holding a glass of water and wearing a white hat. As soon as she saw Woojin, her eyes widened.
“Are you crazy! Oppa!! Did you go out looking like that?!”
“Yeah.”
She ran over and started hitting Woojin on the shoulder, and Kang Woojin took off Kang Hyun-ah’s hat and tossed it far away. With her long brown hair revealed, Kang Hyun-ah began nagging at Woojin.
“Hey, oppa! You’re being treated like a complete hero in Jinju right now, and you go out looking like a defeated soldier?! What if someone had recognized you?”
“Shut up, you.”
“Is that how you talk to your fan club president?”
“Ah- fan club president. Yeah, fan club president, go buy some snacks. Get some for yourself too.”
Hyun-ah smiled broadly at her brother, who casually handed over his card.
“Can I buy some clothes with this too?”
“Only if they sell those clothes at the supermarket.”
“Tch!”
Having silenced Hyun-ah with pocket money, Kang Woojin flopped down on the sofa. Hyun-ah spoke to him again.
“Oppa, lying there like that, you don’t look like Kang Woojin.”
“Are you crazy?”
“There’s a charity event tomorrow, can you come? ‘Kang’s Heart’ is donating too, so I’m attending.”
“You do that kind of thing too?”
“There’ll be an article about it tomorrow! It’s not just me going; a lot of people from the local underprivileged children’s center will be there. Even the mayor of Jinju might come.”
Though he thought it was a good cause, Woojin shook his head, thinking it would be awkward for him to attend.
“Doesn’t seem like I can go.”
The same day, at night.
The location was an studio apartment. More precisely, it was the studio of Choi Na-na, the writer of ‘Beneficial Evil’. Since it was late at night and she had already finished writing the final episode, there were no assistant writers at the desk in the center of the living room. The lights were also off.
However, the light was bright in the largest room. And.
“……”
The slender writer, Choi Na-na, wearing round glasses, was staring intently at her laptop. Numerous papers were scattered around her. They were surely some kind of reference material, and Choi Na-na was watching a YouTube video. Two burly foreign men were performing intense action sequences.
Choi Na-na, wearing a headband, kept replaying the same video.
“Nice, this video. It’s helpful.”
On her memo pad next to the laptop, words circled several times stood out.
-CQC/Close Quarters Combat Techniques, System
It seemed to be a setting she would use in ‘Beneficial Evil’.
*****
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